High Protein Breakfast Ideas

All teens can benefit from eating a healthy breakfast. In fact, a high protein breakfast is a key to healthy eating.

But, it’s really hard to get teens to eat breakfast, let alone high protein breakfasts.

They say no. Run out the door. Have no time for it. They aren’t hungry.

The excuses go on and on.

A Healthy Breakfast for Teens

Of course you know the positive benefits of breakfast, in general.

They’ve been touted for years: better attention and focus in school, higher academic scores, improved balance of the hunger and fullness cycle, better blood sugar control throughout the day, and a healthy body weight.

It turns out that paying a little more attention to the protein content of your teen’s breakfast–namely offering a high protein breakfast– could have even more benefits.

Benefits of High Protein Breakfast

University of Missouri researchers suggest teens eat a high protein breakfast (containing around 30 grams of protein for breakfast) to improve blood sugar control after eating, and temper fat gain and encourage a healthy body weight.

This may be particularly helpful for teens who carry extra weight.

Personally, I encourage my own teens and the teens I work with to target a protein source in their breakfast every day.

I teach them to plan the protein food first, then work in the other food groups such as fruit, grains and dairy.

(Remember, milk and other dairy products are a source of protein, too).

This way, a protein breakfast is always prioritized.

Sources of Protein Foods

There are several quality protein foods you can focus on in the wee hours of the morning, some of which may or may not appeal to your teen:

Beef, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, soybeans, milk, soy milk, Greek yogurt, regular yogurt, eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, nuts, nut butters, and tofu

High Protein Breakfast Ideas for Teens:

There are many ways you can include protein in your teen’s breakfast.

I’ve got some tasty options below.

High Protein Egg Breakfast: Easy Egg Sandwich

This recipe calls for one egg, but it’s easy to bump up the protein by doubling the egg, the cheese, or the ham.

Of course, you could always serve it with a glass of milk, too.

Your teen will get about 28 grams of protein!

Portable Breakfast: Breakfast Bento Box

I thought this bento box idea was a cute one from Shape.com. What teen isn’t on the go or running late in the morning? I think this could be a perfect solution.

Place one large hard-boiled egg, 1/4 cup almonds, 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese topped with 1/2 cup berries, and 4 whole-grain crackers in a bento box or other re-sealable container for a protein-packed breakfast that’s around 450 calories and 31 grams of protein.

Easy High Protein Breakfast on the Go: Breakfast Tacos

2 large eggs

2 large egg whites

2 tablespoons shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed

2 6-inch corn tortillas, heated

4 teaspoons prepared salsa

Scramble the eggs in a pan. Divide and load them into the corn tortillas; top with cheese, beans and salsa.

This breakfast will provide 32 grams of protein.

High Protein Oatmeal Breakfast: Apple Walnut Oatmeal + Milk

I borrowed this one from U.S. News & World Report blogger, Melinda Johnson, who is a contributor for Eat + Run.

Cook 3/4 cups of dry oatmeal with 1 and 1/4 cup of skim milk, and add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts, plus 1 chopped apple. Sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with honey. Total: 24 grams of protein.

Round out this meal with a glass of milk to meet the protein target of 32 grams.

No Egg Breakfast: Nut & Berry Parfait

If you’ve got a yogurt lover, give this one a try! Layer ingredients, beginning with yogurt, and ending with honey on top.

1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries

1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted if desired

2 teaspoons honey

You’ll get 30 grams of protein from this one!

Another No Egg Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Glass of Milk

Swipe each whole grain slice of toast with 1 ½ tablespoons of peanut butter. Serve with a 12-ounce glass of low fat milk. Bonus: add a sliced banana on top for more fiber. Fill up with 28 grams of protein.

Potable Breakfast: Overnight Oatmeal 

A twist on the classic lunchbox sandwich! Place oats and milk in a mason jar and leave in refrigerator overnight.

Stir in peanut butter, top with banana slices and chopped peanuts.

½ cup of oats

1 cup of low fat milk or soy milk

1 tablespoon of peanut butter

1 ounce of chopped peanuts

1 small banana

You’ll get 32 grams of protein from this one.

Another Portable Breakfast: Cottage Cheese and Blueberry Parfait 

Instead of layering with yogurt, use cottage cheese instead! You’ll get a whopping 35 grams of protein.

1 cup low fat cottage cheese

½ cup of blueberries

½ cup high protein granola such as KIND, Nature Valley, or Bear Naked.

How Much Protein Do Kids Need?

For toddlers and children, I like to make sure a source of protein is incorporated into breakfast, as well. They need around 1/2 gram of protein per pound at a minimum.

But younger children don’t benefit from as much protein at breakfast as teens do.

At least, not that we know as of now.

However, I still take the same approach to planning breakfast as I do with the teenager.

Identify the protein source first.

Will it be eggs, milk, yogurt, ham, cheese, nut butter or something else?

One important thing to remember when including protein in a younger child’s breakfast or any other meal: They require less protein overall due to their smaller body size, so don’t go overboard.

When you overshoot protein in a younger child, you may increase the risk of dehydration and this can hurt developing organs.

You’ll be okay if you keep portions small!

Breakfast Habits Start Young

The most important thing is to make breakfast a habit, and keep it going. Here are two free printable tools full of breakfast ideas for the toddler and the school-age child.

While these may not be as high in protein as the ideas listed above, they all have a protein source to offer up similar benefits on satiety.

Last, don’t forget that the way you serve breakfast to children can influence how well they eat it.

I love the “family-style” approach to meals and this includes breakfast, too.

In a nutshell, you set the menu, your child chooses from the options you’ve planned.

What are your favorite high protein breakfasts?

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